WashULaw Welcomes Inaugural Class

January 24, 2013

St. Louis, January 24, 2013 — The inaugural class of foreign attorneys in Washington University School of Law’s new online Master of Law (LLM) in U.S. Law Program, @WashULaw, represents seven countries and a variety of professional backgrounds. The 10 attorneys are benefiting from the program’s cutting-edge, web-based format, which allows them to earn their degree from a prestigious world-class research institution without relocating to the United States.

The online students hail from Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan and the U.S. Members are established lawyers in their home country and include a member of the Parliament of India, senior partners at law firms and a practicing physician working toward healthcare reform. All students have a law degree with the majority having advanced degrees, including LLMs, PhDs, MBAs and MDs from top universities across the globe.

“We are pleased to welcome this diverse group of talented attorneys from around the world for the inaugural @WashULaw program,” said Kent Syverud, dean and the Ethan A.H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor. “@WashULaw is a natural extension to our residential program in U.S. Law, and we are committed to providing the same high-caliber education to our online students.”

Melissa Waters, vice dean, professor of law, and co-director of @WashULaw, is enthusiastic about the unprecedented opportunity for the new online students. “The caliber of this first cohort demonstrates the growing interest among top international lawyers to enhance their understanding of U.S. law and apply what they learn in their practice,” she said. “Our first online classes have provided a highly interactive, rich discussion of course material among this new group of students, and we are excited to be engaging with them through our innovative online platform.”

@WashULaw is the first top-tier online LLM in U.S. law program available to foreign attorneys interested in developing their expertise in U.S. law to more effectively practice in today’s global marketplace. The program provides foreign lawyers a flexible option to earn their degree. Courses begin in January, April, July and October. Full-time students can complete the program in four terms, or one year; part-time study may require up to two years.

Marcelo Lapolla Andrade, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer from Brazil, said @WashULaw is the right fit for his professional goals.

“The online LLM program at Washington University is the one opportunity I found to improve my academic and professional skills, without having to leave my job, family or country behind,” he said. “It is an international experience, which will distinguish me from my competitors and bring direct benefits to my clients. Besides the positive impact I foresee in my career, @WashULaw will allow me to create a worldwide network of friends and professionals. And for the coming years, with the proper understanding of the U.S. legal system, I can see myself deepening my interaction with the university and the states, so I am on my way.”

All @WashULaw students also have the opportunity to participate in an optional in-person, multiple-week summer immersion in the U.S. Lawyers will visit cities like St. Louis and Washington D.C. and experience the American legal system firsthand to gain a deeper understanding of the legal process and environment.

About @WashULaw@WashULaw is a Master of Laws in U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers (LLM) in a new and innovative online format from the top-ranked Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. The program is the first and only top-tier online LLM in U.S. law. @WashULaw builds on the law school’s internationally recognized postgraduate law degree program, which is designed for foreign attorneys interested in increasing their knowledge of U.S. law to more effectively practice in today’s global legal environment. The online program blends the flexibility of distance learning with the rigor and quality of an on-campus experience through an interactive online learning environment, innovative curriculum, and a real-world immersion program in the U.S. The online program will allow foreign lawyers to complete an LLM degree in U.S. law from a world leader in legal education and research without leaving their law practices or relocating to the United States.

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Media contacts:
Washington University School of Law
Jessica Martin, Law School News Director jessica_martin@wustl.edu
(314) 935-5251